Morales re-signs with Real Salt Lake, ends months of speculation

Javier Morales has signed a new contract with Real Salt Lake, the player said on Twitter late today. The talismanic midfielder seems to have re-signed through either 2014 or 2015, as indicated by his tweet.

I couldn't be happier. Just sign my new contract with RSL. Thanks to the Club, Owner, coaches, teammates and sepcially to the FANS! #RSL2015

— Javier Morales (@javi_mo11) January 17, 2013

Morales, whose 2011 campaign was rendered short after he suffered a dislocated ankle and torn ligaments from a dangerous tackle from Marcos Mondaini, struggled in the early months of the 2012 campaign as he continued his return from injury. However, he started 17 consecutive matches (June 23 to Oct. 17) in 2012, putting rest to some doubts that he couldn't return to full fitness.

The Argentine midfielder, a vital piece in Real Salt Lake's 2009 run-up to an MLS Cup win, was part of a trio of Argentines to hit the club in 2007 alongside Fabian Espindola and Matias Mantilla. Espindola was traded to New York Red Bulls this offseason; Mantilla was waived in August 2008.

Morales has made 127 regular season appearances for RSL, with 115 of those starts. In those, he's scored 20 goals and made 43 assists for Real Salt Lake, a testament to the playmaker's usefulness on the pitch.

The announcement puts to an end months of speculation about Morales's future with Real Salt Lake.